BOTRYTIS-CINEREA - A CAUSAL AGENT OF PREMATURE FLOWER DROP IN PACKAGED GERALDTON WAXFLOWER

Botytis cinerea was isolated from Geraldton waxflower (Chamelaucium un cinatum) flowers collected in Queensland and Western Australia. Isolat es were shown to be pathogenic on the two flower selections used, 'Her b Morrow' and 'Alba'. Separation of the flower from tile pedicel occur red for single cut flowers inoculated with the fungus. This observatio n supports the hypothesis that infection commonly contributes to prema ture flower drop in cut, packaged Geraldton waxflower.